took keen hold, led 2nd until 11th, weakened after 3 out
held up in rear, not fluent 1st or 4th, bumped 7th, headway next, stayed on same pace from 2 out
held up towards rear, headway 9th, went 2nd 4 out, led 2 out, clear last, eased towards finish
held up towards rear, took keen hold, headway 11th, ridden and rider dropped whip after 2 out, stayed on same pace
prominent, hampered 3rd, went 2nd 7th, led 11th until 2 out, lost 2nd flat, no extra
prominent, went 2nd before 4th until 7th, mistake 11th, one pace from 2 out
held up in touch, mistake 9th, not fluent and weakened 4 out, pulled up after last
held up in rear, took keen hold, blundered 8th, soon lost touch, pulled up before 11th
led until 2nd, lost place when not fluent 6th, pulled up before 8th
held up towards rear, mistake and bumped 7th, ridden after next, weakened 4 out, tailed off
mid-division on outside, headway after 6th, hung left after 2 out, stayed on to take 2nd flat, flattered by proximity to winner
mid-division, ridden after 9th, weakened approaching 3 out, tailed off
It may pay to focus on those at the head of the weights in this contest with GRAND SLAM HERO preferred to Kack Handed and Tot Of The Knar. Nigel Twiston-Davies' charge is very nicely treated on the pick of his hurdles form and he's at his best when the ground is quick. The gelding was in fair form when last seen and has been dropped another pound to a mark fully 19lbs below that he's earned over hurdles and therefore looks the most solid play here. Kack Handed can't be ruled out despite having unseated Andrew Tinkler last time; prior to that he'd come up against a couple of talented sorts and had aquitted himself well - this is easier. Tot Of The Knar represents a yard going well and she's another who is well handicapped on her form over hurdles although that again reflects the fact she's been disappointing over fences. That said her second to Otage De Brion (runs 14:55) looks solid form and she may have a race in her off this mark. Josear will attract support as one of only two last time out winners but he was rather handed that contest and is a better horse when the mud is flying so fellow recent winner Tighe Caster is of more interest particularly if they go off quick. Royal Kicks is consistent enough and Jimmy Derham has proved his worth in the plate of late but again perhaps he'd prefer some cut whilst Sunday City hasn't looked in love with the game of late and is easily opposed. Grand Slam Hero can land this wide open handicap chase if he consents to put it all together.
Kack Handed 7-2fav (10-12) Led, mistake and unseated rider 2nd, in a race won by Otage De Brion (10-12) at Bangor 2m 4f nov chs (3) gd in Apr, 8 ran.
Tot Of The Knar 7-2fav (10-5) Behind, headway halfway, soon chasing clear winner, no impression, 2nd of 8, 24l behind Otage De Brion (10-12) at Bangor 2m 4f nov chs (3) gd in Apr.
Grand Slam Hero (IRE) 3-1fav (11-6) Held up in rear, good headway approaching 4 out, went 3rd next, soon ridden, stayed on flat, 3rd of 11, 2 3/4l behind Bubble Boy (11-4) at Leicester 2m 7f hcp chs 0-120 (3) gd in Dec.
Tighe Caster 6-1 (11-0) Mid-division, chased leaders after 7th, led before 2 out, ran on well, won at Market Rasen 2m 4f hcp chs 0-115 (4) gd in Apr beating Sea Venture (11-12) by 6l, 8 ran.
Josear 5-1 (11-7) Tended to jump left, made all, wandered approaching 5th, pushed along and led by 2 lengths when left clear 3 out, won at Taunton 2m 3f hcp chs 0-105 (4) gs in Apr beating Omme Antique (10-10) by 8l, 9 ran.
Pamak D'airy (FR) 10-1 (11-0) Held up towards rear, weakened after 4 out, pulled up before next, in a race won by Nedzer's Return (11-9) at Perth 2m 4f nov hcp chs (0-125) (3) sft in Apr, 8 ran.
Miss Phoebe (IRE) 20-1 (10-5) Chased leaders, mistake 7th, soon beaten, 4th of 8, 38l behind Otage De Brion (10-12) at Bangor 2m 4f nov chs (3) gd in Apr.
Dais Return (IRE) 10-1 (9-13) Chased leader, weakened after 3 out, 8th of 12, 36l behind Fairoak Lad (10-13) at Market Rasen 2m 6f hcp hdl 0-145 (2) gd in Sep.
Sunday City (JPN) 8-1 (11-7) Led, hit 10th, headed approaching 2 out, soon weakened, 3rd of 4, 20l behind American World (11-6) at Huntingdon 2m 4f hcp chs 0-115 (4) gd in Apr.
Or d'Oudairies (FR) 5-1 (11-10) Tracked leaders, led before 3 out, headed approaching 2 out, no extra, 3rd of 8, 8l behind Tighe Caster (11-0) at Market Rasen 2m 4f hcp chs 0-115 (4) gd in Apr.
Royal Kicks (FR) 9-4fav (10-10) Soon chased leaders, 3rd before 3 out, chance before last, no extra flat, 3rd of 7, 4 1/2l behind Double The Trouble (11-1) at Fontwell 2m 6f hcp chs 0-115 (4) gd in Apr.
Marked Man (IRE) 7-1 (10-13) Held up on outside, mistake 2nd, outpaced 12th, never dangerous, 6th of 8, 35l behind Fortification (11-7) at Hereford 3m 1f am hcp ch 0-115 (4) gs in Nov.
